Matsue City 松江市

Matsue is the capital of Shimane Prefecture – ancient Izumo Province. With a population of almost 200,000, this city on the Sea of Japan, on the north-western coast of Honshû, is known for its ancient townscape with several samurai residences and the home of Irish teacher and writer Lafcadio HEARN (1850-1904). The three-storey main tower of Matsue-jô castle dates back to the 17th century. Two jizô statues on the southern shore of Lake Shinji were erected in the early 17th century as memorials to people who lost their lives in shipwrecks along this dangerous stretch of coastline.